Device for tapping kegs



@dt. 15, 11935. A 1 KLE|N DEVICE FOR TAPPING KEGS Filed April 26, 1934 Patented 0a. 15, 1935 UNITED STATES DEVICE FOR TAPPING KEGS August L. Klein, Milwaukee, Wis., assignor to Blatz Brewing Company, Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application April 26, 1934, Serial No. 722,604

1 Claim.

This invention relates to apparatus for increasing the pressure in beer kegs; and more particularly, a utility device which may be used where expensive tapping apparatus is not available.

Although my invention is not limited to the dispensing of beer, beer is often stored in kegs and at picnics and other functions, difiiculty is experienced in dispensing the same. It is common practice to place in the side of the keg a wooden spigot, but due to lack of internal pressure, the beer or liquid flows very slowly. My invention increases the internal pressure so that the contents of the keg are under pressure and will be forced out through the spigot.

The prime object of the invention is to provide quickly attachable means whereby the internal or head pressure may be increased, thus facilitating the dispensing of the contents of a drum or keg.

Another object is to provide means for indicating the internal pressure so that the operator will be guided in this respect.

Other objects will be disclosed in the specification and claim forming a part of this application.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary vertical section showing a keg on its end;

Figure 2 is a detailed vertical section of the tapping apparatus; and

Figure 3 is a front elevation of the pressure indicator.

Referring to the drawings, in which like numerals designate similar parts:

Numeral 4 designates a keg of the usual type having a bung opening 5 therein in the side to receive a spigot 6, such an opening being normally closed by a cork (not shown) during shipment.

In the head 1 of the keg is formed a second opening 8, plugged with a cork 9. Inserted through the cork 9 is a tapping instrument Ill having a sharp pointed hollow spindle l i, a channel l2 extending therethrough and merging through openings l3 in the side of the spindle. The end portion I4 is solid. By having the openings in the side and the bottom solid there is no danger of the openings becoming clogged. The spindle l I is secured in a sleeve l5 forming a part of an anvil I6. Swedged in the side of the sleeve i5 is one end of a pipe I! having its other end externally screwthreaded for connection to a bicycle pump, or other suitable source of air under pressure. The pipe l1 forms a valve casing for the valve l8 and cage l9, and is internally screwthreaded to receive the externally screwthreaded end of the cage l9. The valve [8 and cage I9 form a one-way valve of the type commonly used in automobile tires; and are used, in this instance, to permit entrance of air under pressure into the keg while preventing emission of liquid therefrom. oppositely extending from the valve casing I1 is a pressure gauge 20 of the usual construction. Both the pressure gauge 2|] and the valve casing I! are in open alignment with channel 12. The bottom portion of the anvil l6 forms a shoulder 2| which serves as a stop member to limit the insertion of the spindle H.

As actually used, the sharp point of the spindle I 2 will be forced through the cork 9 until the 1 shoulder 2| rests against the face of the same. This indicates to the operator that the openings i3 are clear of the inside of the keg. A bicycle or automobile pump will be attached to the threaded portion of the valve casing H, as shown in Fig- 1 ure 1, and the ordinary pressure in the keg increased to the desired amount, the gauge 20 indicating the pressure. The spigot 6 is then opened and the beer or other liquid dispensed. The pressure in the keg is maintained at the desired 2 amount while the beer or other liquid is being drawn off.

It is apparent that the tapping apparatus is very compact and can be very quickly utilized in connection with dispensing liquids at picnics and 2 the like, although the apparatus is also available for use where no permanent equipment is available. The upper portion of the anvil I6 is of solid construction and will withstand blows if the same should be necessary in inserting the spindle. 3

Numerous variations may doubtless be devised by persons skilled in the art without departing from the principles of my invention. I, therefore, desire no limitations to be imposed on my invention, except such as are indicated in the 3 appended claim.

What I claim is:

A tapping device comprising a tubular spindle having a solid sharpened lower end and having openings adjacent the solid end, a head secured to 4 the spindle, the lower portion of said head having a channel in alignment with said hollow spindle and connected therewith, the upper portion of said head being solid to facilitate the forcing of said device into a container, a chamber being formed in said head below said solid portion and connecting with said channel and having two ports, a pipe secured at one end to one of said ports and having its other end adapted to be secured to a source of air under pressure, and oneway valve mechanism detachably secured in said pipe to permit the entrance of air under pressure through said pipe into said chamber and prevent emission of liquid therefrom, and a pressure gage connected to the other port to indicate air pressure in said chamber.

AUGUST L. KLEIN. 

